Worldwide: Aviation

The U.S. Congress is actively considering bipartisan legislation to overhaul the Federal Aviation Administration's type certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.

Last week, the FCC adopted its Space Modernization Order, a sweeping effort to streamline satellite licensing and accelerate commercial space activity.

The Trump Administration has intensified its focus on drone security through coordinated federal actions in July 2026, expediting counter-drone capabilities for state and local governments while simultaneously strengthening prohibitions against foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems. These sweeping regulatory changes mark a significant expansion of national security measures affecting the entire UAS marketplace.

Comments due July 6, 2026. Under its proposed 14 C.F.R. Part 74, operators and proprietors of fixed-site (permanent, non-mobile), critical infrastructure (defined by statute and regulation) facilities could request...

The FAA has designated all 2026 FIFA World Cup venues as "No Drone Zones," imposing strict airspace restrictions with severe penalties for violations. Federal agencies are coordinating enforcement efforts and deploying counter-drone technology to detect and disable unauthorized drones throughout the tournament. Operators must understand compliance obligations, temporary flight restrictions, and the legal framework governing drone operations during this major international sporting event.

Policy developments over the past two weeks underscore a central theme of today’s space economy: the need to scale. Projections that U.S. launch demand could quadruple in the next decade...

Washington’s demand for space capabilities is headed for the moon: Senate appropriators continue to push back against proposed NASA budget cuts, U.S. Space Force is urging industry to expand satellite production and investment and has selected 14 vendors to compete under a 10 year, $1.8 billion program to advance next-gen space domain awareness, and the Golden Dome continues to grow in scope and cost.

As space innovation accelerates, traditional patent strategies face unprecedented challenges from extended development timelines, jurisdictional ambiguity, and dual-use technologies. Marshall Gerstein attorneys explore how a bifurcated claim strategy can protect intellectual property both on Earth and in space, ensuring companies secure rights early while maintaining flexibility for future commercial opportunities.

We were thrilled to join Pelico for a recent webinar, exploring the current state of MRO networks and where demand is headed, the operational levers that actually move TAT and OTD...